Tire spreader



c. E BRANICK 3,036,815

May 29, 1962 TIRE SPREADER Filed Oct. 7, 1960 2 heets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.CHARLES E. BRANICK ATTORNEYS I May 2 6 c. E. BRANICK I 3,036,815

TIRE SPREADER Filed Oct. 7, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG- 3 516. 4

9 lNVENTOR.

CHARLES E. BRANICK .AT TORNEYS United States Patent 3,036,815 TIRESPREADER Charles E. Branick, Branick Manufacturing Co., P.0. Box 1937,Fargo, N. Dak. Filed Oct. 7, 1960, Ser. No. 61,126 8 Claims. (Cl.254-503) My invention relates generally to pneumatic tire spreaders andmore particularly to tire spreaders of the type which engage the opposedbeads of the tire at circumferentially spaced points.

The primary object of my invention is the provision of a novel pneumatictire spreader which may be suspended from the ceiling of the room inwhich it is housed, under conditions where" floor space is at a premium.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a device of theclass immediately above described which is particularly adaptable forinserting and removing air bags and curing rims in pneumatic tires priorto and after a retreading or vulcanizing operation, although obviouslynot restricted to such use.

A still further object of my invention is the provision of a device ofthe class above described which incorporates a minimum of working partsand which occupies a minimum of space.

A still further object of my invention is the provision of a device ofthe class above described which is extremely easy to operate, which ispositive in its action, and which presents a minimum of hazard to theoperator.

A still further object of my invention is the provision of a device ofthe class above described which is relatively inexpensive to produce andoperate, which is rugged in construction and durable in use.

The above and still further objects of my invention will become apparentfrom the following detailed specification, appended claims, and attacheddrawings.

Referring to the drawings wherein like characters indicate like partsthroughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation of my novel structure, some partsbeing broken away and some parts shown in section;

FIG. 2 is a view in end elevation of the structure of FIG. 1, some partsbeing broken away and some parts shown in section;

FIG. 3 is a view in top plan of the structure of FIG. 1, some partsbeing broken away;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view in horizontal section taken on the line -5-5 of FIG.2.;

FIG. 6 is a view in section taken on the line 66 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is a view partly in horizontal section and partly in top plan asseen from the line 7-7 of FIG. 1.

Referring with greater particularity to the drawings, the numeral 1indicates in its entirety a rectangular supporting frame which isadapted to be suspended from a ceiling or other overhead supportingstructure A in a horizontal plane and in vertically spaced relation tothe floor or ground, not specifically identified, by flexible chains orthe like 2. The frame 1 comprises opposed pairs of side frame members,one each of one pair of said opposed side frame members being identifiedby the numeral 3 and one each of the other pair of said opposed sideframe members being identified by the numeral 4. As shown, the framemembers 3 are in the nature of shafts or axles, whereas the framemembers 4 are in the nature of elongated rigid bars, the opposite endsof the latter journalling the opposite ends of the former. Spacedparallel cross members 5 having rigid tubular spacer sleeves 6 on theiropposite ends which journal their reice spective members 3 thereinimpart rigidity to the rectangular frame 1.

Interposed between the spacer sleeves 6 and the extended ends of theframe members 4 and journalled for rotation on the extended outer endportions of the frame members 3 are bearing sleeves 7, each of which hasa rigid trunnion 8 projecting raidally therefrom.

Spreader arms 9, four in number, each has its upper end portion rigidlysecured to and journalled for rotation on one of said trunnions 8 forswinging movements. By this means it is obvious that each spreader arm 9is mounted for swinging movements of the lower end thereof both inplanes normal to the axes of the frame members 3 as well as parallel tosaid axes. Tying said spreader arms 9 together in opposed cooperatingpairs 9a and 9b are a pair of rigid guide bars 10, 11, respectively,each of which is provided at its outer end portion with slots 12 whichreceive the intermediate portion of one of said arms 9. As shownparticularly in FIG. 5, the bars 10, 11 and their respective slots 12preclude lateral movements of the spreader arms 9 in the slots 12 butpermit limited movements of said arms toward and away from each otherwithin said slots between the abutment forming outer ends 13 and theabutment forming inner ends 14. Mounting said guide bars 10, 11 and thepairs of spreader arms 9a, 9b carried respectively thereby for swingingmovements toward and away from each other are a pair of hanger bars 15,one each having its lower end rigidly secured to one of said guide bars,as indicated at 16, and one each of which has its upper end mounted forswinging movements about the axis of one of said frame members 3. Thelower end portions of each of the spreader arms 9 are provided withcooperating multiple hooks 17 for engagement of the opposed beadportions B of a conventional pneumatic tire C.

For the purpose of imparting spreading movements to the guide bars 10,11 and the opposed pairs of spreader arms 9a, 9b associated respectivelytherewith, I interpose a fluid pressure operated device, identified inits entirety by the numeral 18 between the said guide bars 10, 11. Asshown, the device 18 comprises a cylinder 19 which is pivotally securedon a horizontal axis to the guide bar 10, as indicated at 20, and acooperating push rod equipped piston 21 which is pivotally secured tothe guide bar 11 on an axis parallel to the pivotal connection 20, asindicated at 22.

When it is desired to spread the beads B of the tire casing C laterallyfor any given purpose, such as the placing therein or the removingtherefrom of an inner tube or air bag, the casing C is lifted intoengagement with the hooks 17 carried by one of an opposing pair ofspreader arms 9a, 9b. The hook 17 of the opposing arm 9 is then causedto engage the same bead B in diametrically opposed relationship to thefirst-mentioned hook 17, coil tension springs 23 (see FIG. 1) secured tothe extended upper ends 24 of the arms 9a tending to maintain said hooks17 in their bead-engaging positions. Similar positioning of the book 17associated with the arms 9a with the opposite bead B is then had.Further augmenting a firm grasp of the multiple hooks 17 with theopposed beads B of the tire C, are coil tension springs 25, oppositeends of which are tied to the arm extensions 24 at right angles to thesprings 23. As shown particularly in FIG. 2, the springs 25 yieldinglybias the arms 9a, 9b and hooks 17 carried thereby away from each otherand toward snug engagement with the tire bead C adjacent thereto.

My invention has been thoroughly tested and found to be completelysatisfactory for the accomplishment of the above objects, and while Ihave shown a preferred embodiment thereof, I wish it to be understoodthat same may be capable of modification without departure from thescope and spirit of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A suspension-type pneumatic tire spreader comprising a supportingframe, means for suspending said frame in a generally horizontal planefrom an overhead support and in spaced relation to the floor, laterallyspaced opposed pairs of opposed spreader arms, separate means pivotallymounting the upper end portions of said arms for swinging movements ofthe lower end portion of each pair toward and away from each other andfor pivotal movements of each arm of a given pair toward and away fromeach other on an axis normal to the axis of swinging movement of each ofsaid pairs, cooperating tire bead engaging hooks on the lower ends ofeach of said arms, power operated means for simultaneously moving thehook-equipped lower ends of each pair of arms toward and away from eachother, means guiding each arm of each given pair and limiting movementsthereof in directions away from each other.

2. The structure defined in claim 1 in further combination with meansyieldingly biasing the hook-equipped lower ends of each arm of a givenpair away from each other.

3. The structure defined in claim 2 in further combination with meansyieldingly biasing each opposed pair of arms away from each other.

4. The structure defined in claim 1 in which said frame is rectangularin shape and comprises opposed pairs of side frame members, and in whichsaid pivotally mounting means comprises opposed trunnions on oppositeends of one pair of said frame members, means journalling said trunnionsfor rotation on their respective frame members, and means journallingone each of said arms on one of said trunnions for rotation in planesparallel to the longitudinal axes of their respective frame members.

5. The structure defined in claim 1' in which said lastrnentioned meanscomprises a pair of rigid guide bars each having slots in its oppositeends for reception of the intermediate portions of its respectivespreader arms, said slots permitting limited movement of said armstoward and away from each other, and means suspending said guide barsfrom said frame for swinging movements toward and away from each other.

6. The structure defined in claim 5 in which said power operated meanscomprises a fluid pressure operated device interposed between andpivotally supported by said guide bars.

7. The structure defined in claim 6 in further combination with meansyieldingly biasing each opposed pair of arms away from each other.

8. The structure defined in claim 7 in further combination with meansyieldingly biasing the hook-equipped lower ends of each arm of a givenpair away from each other.

Branick Feb. 9, 1943 Stoehr May 8, 1945

